Last Saturday, I had the opportunity to shoot Virgil Hill’s “One Last Stand” event at the Bismarck Event Center. Bismarck got a firsthand look at 16 of professional boxing’s most elite boxers. The undercard, which featured eight professional boxing bouts, headlined boxers from across the nation including eight North Dakota natives.
Kicking off the night was Bismarck local, Brandon Anderson who took on Paul Trevino of Pacoima, California. Anderson is well-known for being North Dakota’s top undefeated MMA fighter. Saturday was his first professional boxing debut.
Coming in at the 147 pound women’s match-up was current North Dakota State University student, Kira Ollila, against Fort Yates’ Micaela Fox. Ollila went undefeated during her amateur boxing career and is currently undefeated as a professional.
The second female bout for the evening will be between world ranked, Sonja Fox and Saxon Harrison of McLaughlin, South Dakota. Fox is ranked seventh in the world in the heavyweight division.
Williston’s 57 year old, Mike Palmer battled for two titles Saturday. Palmer is a contender for the oldest fighter in the Guinness Book of World records and will fight Lyle Krueger of Grand Forks for one of the 200+ crowns.
Tommy “The Sting” Ray represented Fargo. The former North Dakota State University football player competed against Catlyn Little Eagle of McLaughlin, South Dakota.
Hollywood, California boxer Ronald “El Diablo” Cruz and McLaughlin, South Dakota’s Ryan Soft took the ring in the 160 division.
The 165 contest featured Mandan local, Tucker Pudwill and Bruce “The Rage” Rumbolz of Sterling, Illinois.
North Dakota legend, five-time world champion, and hall of fame boxer Virgil Hill headlined the main event in the anticipated match-up against Jimmy “The British Assassin” Campbell.
If you would like to see more of the fights, click over to the boxing gallery!